AU hosts first track invitational of season

The Ravens hosted their first of three indoor track and field meets on Saturday, welcoming three HCAC foes, one NAIA opponent and an NCAA Division I team into the Kardatzke Wellness Center. Hanover, Manchester, Mount St. Joseph, Lindsay Wilson (NAIA) and Miami of Ohio (Division I) competed against the Ravens in the AU Indoor Invitational.

While no team scores were kept for the event, the Ravens still had a strong showing, racking up seven first-place finishes.

“This was one of the best team performances we have ever had,” explained Garrett Cooley. “There were so many personal bests and first place finishes.”

Cooley himself picked up two victories. The reigning All-American took home the top spot in both the long jump (6.74 meters) and high jump (6-4). Toluwani Adebakin, the reigning HCAC Track Athlete of the Week, won the 400 meter (50.31) and was a part of two relay teams that also were victorious, the 4 x 200 and the 4 x 400. Ian Leatherman won the 5,000 with a time of (15:36.61).

The lone women’s victory was achieved in the 4 x 200. Courtney King, Mariah Murray, Victoria Baver and Makenzie Healy finished first with a time of 1:51.88.

Cooley is optimistic that, given health, the team can continue to build moving forward.

“I believe we just need to stick to the training regime,” he said. “If we can get into the training room to heal up and stay off the injury list, we can continue to succeed.”

Mac Mullins touched on the performance of the throwers.

“The team did great,” he said. “I loved getting to compete at home in our natural environment.

“Overall, I think we did amazing. We need to focus on controlled speed moving forward. We have more throwers than ever before, and I can’t wait until outdoor season.”

AU will compete Feb. 10 at the DePauw Indoor Invitational next. They will host back-to-back meets the following weekends. The HCAC Championships will take place in the KWC on Feb. 17 and the Ravens will host the Fred Wilt Intivational on Feb. 24.

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